WESLEY SNEIJDER has revealed he is sorry not to be facing Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli for the Netherlands this evening.

The Dutch face Italy in an international friendly which will see Sneijder become the fourth most capped player for his country this evening.

But Sneijder won't be facing former Inter teammate Balotelli after the new man at Anfield he was controversially axed from Antonio Conte's first Italy squad.

Sniejder said: "For us it's better that he does not play so he can't score against us.

"Nevertheless, I regret this. I have not seen him in a while. He's a nice guy, but a little crazy. He was already like that when we played together at Inter."

He's a nice guy, but a little crazy. He was already like that when we played together at Inter.

Wesley Sneijder

Sneijder admitted that he is enjoying working under Cesare Prandelli - formerly Balotelli's coach with the Italian national team at Galatasaray - but that he still considers Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho the best manager in the world.

He added: "I work well with Cesare.

"He wants his teams to play good football. Which system is not important.

"The big picture is looking good and Prandelli is working hard."

Speaking specifically about Mourinho he added: "He's the number one. There is none like him."